Systems for fluid reservoir retention

ABSTRACT

A fluid infusion device is provided. The fluid infusion device can include a fluid reservoir having a barrel portion and a housing defining a receiving portion for removably receiving the fluid reservoir within the housing. The housing can have a first side including a first engagement system that cooperates with the barrel portion to bias the fluid reservoir relative to the housing in a direction substantially opposite a direction of fluid flow out of the fluid reservoir.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the subject matter described herein relate generally tofluid infusion devices for delivering a medication fluid to the body ofa user. More particularly, embodiments of the subject matter relate tosystems and methods for fluid reservoir retention.

BACKGROUND

Certain diseases or conditions may be treated, according to modernmedical techniques, by delivering a medication or other substance to thebody of a patient, either in a continuous manner or at particular timesor time intervals within an overall time period. For example, diabetesis commonly treated by delivering defined amounts of insulin to thepatient at appropriate times. Some common modes of providing insulintherapy to a patient include delivery of insulin through manuallyoperated syringes and insulin pens. Other modern systems employprogrammable fluid infusion devices (e.g., insulin pumps) to delivercontrolled amounts of insulin to a patient.

A fluid infusion device suitable for use as an insulin pump may berealized as an external device or an implantable device, which issurgically implanted into the body of the patient. External fluidinfusion devices include devices designed for use in a generallystationary location (for example, in a hospital or clinic), and devicesconfigured for ambulatory or portable use (to be carried by a patient).External fluid infusion devices may establish a fluid flow path from afluid reservoir to the patient via, for example, a suitable hollowtubing. The hollow tubing may be connected to a hollow fluid deliveryneedle that is designed to pierce the patient's skin to deliver aninfusion medium to the body. Alternatively, the hollow tubing may beconnected directly to the patient's body through a cannula or set ofmicro-needles.

The fluid reservoir of an external fluid infusion device may be realizedas a single-use prefilled disposable unit, a patient-filled unit, arefillable unit, or the like. The fluid reservoir for a typical fluidinfusion device is implemented as a removable and replaceable component.In order to ensure proper fluid delivery, the fluid reservoir needs tobe properly retained within the fluid infusion device.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide systems and methods forretention of a removable fluid reservoir in a fluid infusion device toensure proper insulin delivery. Furthermore, other desirable featuresand characteristics will become apparent from the subsequent detaileddescription and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings and the foregoing technical field and background.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to various exemplary embodiments, a fluid infusion device isprovided. The fluid infusion device can include a fluid reservoir havinga barrel portion and a housing defining a receiving portion forremovably receiving the fluid reservoir within the housing. The housingcan have a first side including a first engagement system thatcooperates with the barrel portion to bias the fluid reservoir relativeto the housing in a direction substantially opposite a direction offluid flow out of the fluid reservoir.

Also provided according to various exemplary embodiments is a fluidinfusion device. The fluid infusion device can include a fluid reservoirhaving a first portion and a second portion. The fluid infusion devicecan also include a housing defining a receiving portion for removablyreceiving the fluid reservoir within the housing. The housing can have afirst side adjacent to a second side. The first side can include a firstengagement system that cooperates with the first portion and the secondside can include a second engagement system that cooperates with thesecond portion. The first engagement system can include a wedge thatbiases the fluid reservoir relative to the housing in a directionsubstantially opposite a direction of fluid flow out of the fluidreservoir.

Various exemplary embodiments also provide a fluid infusion device. Thefluid infusion device can include a fluid reservoir having a firstportion, a second portion and a reservoir defined between the firstportion and the second portion for receipt of insulin. The first portioncan have a first alignment feature. The fluid infusion device can alsoinclude a first housing component including a first engagement systemhaving a member movable by the first alignment feature between a firstposition and a second position. The fluid infusion device can include asecond housing component coupled to the first housing component andincluding at least partially a second engagement system that cooperateswith the second portion of the fluid reservoir. In the second position,the member can bias the fluid reservoir into contact with the secondhousing component.

In addition, various exemplary embodiments provide a housing for a fluidinfusion device. The housing can include a first housing componentincluding a first engagement system. The first housing component candefine a first compartment and a second compartment. The firstengagement system can be coupled to the second compartment and movablerelative to the second compartment. The housing can also include asecond housing component coupled to the first compartment of the firsthousing component and including a second engagement system. The secondengagement system can be movable relative to the second housingcomponent.

Various teachings provide a housing for a fluid infusion device. Thehousing can include a first side extending substantially perpendicularto a first end. The housing can also include a first engagement systemcoupled adjacent to the first end. A portion of the first engagementsystem can be movable relative to the first end in a directionsubstantially parallel to the first end. The housing can also include asecond engagement system coupled to the first side. A portion of thesecond engagement system can be movable relative to the first side in adirection substantially perpendicular to the first side.

According to various exemplary embodiments, a fluid reservoir for usewith a fluid infusion device is provided. The fluid reservoir caninclude a first portion having a first end and a second end. The firstend can include an alignment feature and a delivery port. The fluidreservoir can include a second portion coupled to the second end of thefirst portion, with a portion of the second portion movable within thefirst portion to advance a fluid out of the delivery port. The fluidreservoir can also include a reservoir defined between the first portionand the second portion that receives the fluid.

Also provided according to various exemplary embodiments is a fluidreservoir for use with a fluid infusion device. The fluid reservoir caninclude a first portion having a first end and a second end. The firstend can include a first alignment feature spaced apart from a secondalignment feature and a delivery port adjacent to the first alignmentfeature. The fluid reservoir can include a second portion including aplunger and a housing. The plunger can be movable within the firstportion to advance a fluid out of the delivery port and the housing canbe coupled to the second end of the first portion. The fluid reservoircan include a reservoir defined between the first portion and the secondportion that receives the fluid.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the detaileddescription. This summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subjectmatter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the subject matter may be derived byreferring to the detailed description and claims when considered inconjunction with the following figures, wherein like reference numbersrefer to similar elements throughout the figures.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a fluidinfusion device;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary housing of the fluidinfusion device of FIG. 1, which includes an exemplary fluid reservoir;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary base plate of the fluidinfusion device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A is a top perspective view of the housing of FIG. 2 with theexemplary fluid reservoir removed;

FIG. 4B is a partially exploded view of the housing of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary top housing component ofthe housing of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the exemplary top housingcomponent of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of an exemplary bottom housingcomponent of the housing of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the exemplary bottom housingcomponent of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of an exemplary snap housing of thepinion engagement system of the housing of FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the exemplary snap housing of FIG.9;

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of an exemplary wedge of thereservoir retention system of the housing of FIG. 2;

FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of the exemplary wedge of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an exemplary barrel portion of anexemplary fluid reservoir for use with the fluid infusion device;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the housing of FIG. 2, taken alongline 14-14 of FIG. 2, illustrating an exemplary engagement between thefluid reservoir and the reservoir retention system of the housing ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 15 is a partially exploded view of the exemplary fluid reservoir;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an exemplary plunger guide of the fluidreservoir of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the housing of FIG. 2, taken alongline 17-17 of FIG. 2, illustrating an exemplary engagement between theplunger guide of the fluid reservoir and the pinion engagement system ofthe housing of FIG. 2;

FIG. 18 is an end view of the housing of FIG. 2, with the fluidreservoir partially exploded above the housing;

FIG. 18A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the housing of FIG. 18,taken along line 18A-18A of FIG. 2, illustrating an exemplary partialengagement between the barrel portion of the fluid reservoir and theexemplary wedge of the reservoir retention system of the housing of FIG.2;

FIG. 18B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the housing of FIG. 2,taken along line 18B-18B of FIG. 18, illustrating an exemplary partialengagement between the barrel portion of the fluid reservoir and theexemplary wedge of the reservoir retention system of the housing of FIG.2;

FIG. 19 is an end view of the housing of FIG. 2, with the fluidreservoir partially exploded above the housing;

FIG. 19A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the housing of FIG. 19,taken along line 18A-18A of FIG. 2, illustrating an exemplary partialengagement between the barrel portion of the fluid reservoir and theexemplary wedge of the reservoir retention system of the housing of FIG.2;

FIG. 19B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the housing of FIG. 2,taken along line 19B-19B of FIG. 19, illustrating an exemplary partialengagement between the barrel portion of the fluid reservoir and theexemplary wedge of the reservoir retention system of the housing of FIG.2;

FIG. 20 is an end view of the housing of FIG. 2, with the fluidreservoir coupled to the housing;

FIG. 20A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the housing of FIG. 20,taken along line 18A-18A of FIG. 2, illustrating an exemplary engagementbetween the barrel portion of the fluid reservoir and the exemplarywedge of the reservoir retention system of the housing of FIG. 2;

FIG. 20B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the housing of FIG. 2,taken along line 20B-20B of FIG. 20, illustrating an exemplaryengagement between the barrel portion of the fluid reservoir and theexemplary wedge of the reservoir retention system of the housing of FIG.2;

FIG. 21 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the housing of FIG. 2,taken along line 21-21 of FIG. 2, illustrating an exemplary partialengagement between the plunger guide of the fluid reservoir and thepinion engagement system of the housing of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the housing of FIG. 2, taken alongline 21-21 of FIG. 2, illustrating an exemplary engagement between theplunger guide of the fluid reservoir and the pinion engagement system ofthe housing of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is merely illustrative in nature andis not intended to limit the embodiments of the subject matter or theapplication and uses of such embodiments. As used herein, the word“exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.”Any implementation described herein as exemplary is not necessarily tobe construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations.Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed orimplied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background,brief summary or the following detailed description.

Certain terminology may be used in the following description for thepurpose of reference only, and thus are not intended to be limiting. Forexample, terms such as “top”, “bottom”, “upper”, “lower”, “above”, and“below” could be used to refer to directions in the drawings to whichreference is made. Terms such as “front”, “back”, “rear”, “side”,“outboard”, and “inboard” could be used to describe the orientationand/or location of portions of the component within a consistent butarbitrary frame of reference which is made clear by reference to thetext and the associated drawings describing the component underdiscussion. Such terminology may include the words specificallymentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.Similarly, the terms “first”, “second”, and other such numerical termsreferring to structures do not imply a sequence or order unless clearlyindicated by the context.

The following description relates to a fluid infusion device of the typeused to treat a medical condition of a patient. The infusion device canbe used for infusing fluid into the body of a user. The non-limitingexamples described below relate to a medical device used to treatdiabetes (more specifically, an insulin pump), although embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter are not so limited. Accordingly, theinfused medication fluid is insulin in certain embodiments. Inalternative embodiments, however, many other fluids may be administeredthrough infusion such as, but not limited to, disease treatments, drugsto treat pulmonary hypertension, iron chelation drugs, pain medications,anti-cancer treatments, medications, vitamins, hormones, or the like.For the sake of brevity, conventional features and characteristicsrelated to infusion system operation, insulin pump and/or infusion setoperation, fluid reservoirs, and fluid syringes may not be described indetail here. Examples of infusion pumps and/or related pump drivesystems used to administer insulin and other medications may be of thetype described in, but not limited to: U.S. Patent Publication No.2009/0299290 A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0269687; U.S. Pat. No.7,828,764; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,905,868 (the entire content of thesepatent documents is incorporated by reference herein).

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a fluidinfusion device 100. In one example, the fluid infusion device 100 caninclude a housing 102, a base plate 104 and a removable and replaceablefluid reservoir 106 (FIG. 2). In this example, the housing 102 cancomprise a durable, multiple use component and the base plate 104 cancomprise a consumable, single use component. It should be noted thatalthough the housing 102 is described herein as being a durable,multiple use component, the housing 102 can be a consumable, single usecomponent in certain embodiments. Similarly, although the base plate 104is described herein as comprising a consumable, single use component,the base plate 104 can be a durable, multiple use component in certainembodiments. The housing 102 can be removably coupled to the base plate104, and for the illustrated embodiment, the fluid reservoir 106 canmate with, and can be received by, the housing 102. It should be notedthat the fluid reservoir 106 can mate with, and can be received by, thebase plate 104 in certain embodiments. The housing 102 can cooperatewith the fluid reservoir 106 to couple and retain the fluid reservoir106 within the housing 102.

With brief reference to FIG. 3, the base plate 104 is shown with thefluid reservoir 106 in greater detail. It should be noted that the fluidreservoir 106 is illustrated in this figure to merely aid in showing therelationship between the base plate 104 and the fluid reservoir 106, butgenerally, the fluid reservoir 106 is retained in and coupled to thehousing 102. Thus, the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 is merelyexemplary. The base plate 104 can be temporarily adhered to the skin ofthe patient using, for example, an adhesive layer of material. After thebase plate 104 is affixed to the skin of the patient, a suitablyconfigured insertion device or apparatus may be used to insert a fluiddelivery needle or cannula 107 (see FIG. 1) into the body of thepatient. The cannula 107 can function as one part of the fluid deliverypath associated with the fluid infusion device 100, as is wellunderstood.

With reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 illustrates the housing 102 and thebase plate 104 coupled together. The housing 102 and the base plate 104are cooperatively configured to accommodate removable coupling of thehousing 102 to the base plate 104. In practice, the housing 102 and/orthe base plate 104 can include features, structures, or elements tofacilitate removable coupling (e.g., pawls, latches, rails, slots,keyways, buttons, or the like). The removable nature of the housing 102enables the patient to replace the fluid reservoir 106 as needed.Moreover, the housing 102 can be removed (while leaving the base plate104 adhered to the patient) to allow the patient to swim, shower, bathe,and participate in other activities that might otherwise damage orcontaminate the housing 102. When the housing 102 is removed from thebase plate 104, the fluid flow path is broken.

With reference to FIGS. 2, 4A and 4B, the housing 102 is shown in moredetail. The housing 102 can include a first or top housing component108, a second or bottom housing component 110, a pinion engagementsystem 112 (FIGS. 4A and 4B) and a reservoir engagement system 114.Further, the housing 102 can include, among other components, a drivemotor, a battery, a rack and pinion drive system that cooperates withthe fluid reservoir, and suitable circuitry to control those components.Further detail regarding these components can be found in commonlyassigned U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011/0160655, U.S. PatentPublication No. 2011/010654, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011/010666,and U.S. Pat. No. 7,905,868, each of which is incorporated by referenceherein. These components can generally be housed in a cavity formedbetween the top housing component 108 and the bottom housing component110.

In one example, with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the top housingcomponent 108 can include a first compartment 118 and a secondcompartment 120, which can be separated by a protrusion or wall 122defined along a surface 108 a of the top housing component 108. In oneexample, the wall 122 can extend from a first side or first end 124 to asecond side or second end 126 of the top housing component 108. Thefirst compartment 118 can be defined by the wall 122, a portion 124 a ofthe first end 124, a first portion 126 a of the second end 126 and afirst side 128 of the top housing component 108. The second compartment120 can be defined by the wall 122, a second portion 124 b of the firstend 124, a second portion 126 b of the second end 126 and a second side130 of the top housing component 108. It should be noted that thisarrangement of the first compartment 118 and second compartment 120 ismerely exemplary, as any suitable arrangement or configuration of thefirst compartment 118 and second compartment 120 could be employed, andfurther, the top housing component 108 could include more than twocompartments, or could include a single compartment, if desired. In oneexample, the first compartment 118 can be defined substantially on aside of a longitudinal axis of the top housing component 108, and thesecond compartment 120 can be defined substantially or entirely on anopposite side of the longitudinal axis of the top housing component 108.

Further, it should be understood that in addition to the firstcompartment 118, second compartment 120 and wall 122, the top housingcomponent 108 can include various other features and components that canenable the housing 102 to cooperate with the base plate 104 to deliverinsulin to a user. For example, the top housing component 108 caninclude features that enable the housing 102 to be removably coupled tothe base plate 104, etc. In addition, the first portion 126 a and thesecond portion 126 b of the second end 126 can be spaced apart from eachother by a third portion 126 c, which can be indented or positionedtowards the first end 124 more than the first portion 126 a and thesecond portion 126 b. This spacing or configuration can enable the fluidpath to be established between the housing 102 and the patient. In thisregard, a mounting cap 127 including a sealing element (FIG. 1) can bereceived within the recess defined by the third portion 126 c, which canaid in establishing a fluid connection with the patient, as discussed incommonly assigned U.S. application Ser. No. 13/399,878, incorporated byreference herein.

With continued reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the first compartment 118 caninclude various features for coupling the bottom housing component 110to the top housing component 108, and can also include features that cancooperate with other components associated with the housing 102, such asthe drive motor, battery, etc. Generally, the bottom housing component110 can be coupled to the first compartment 118 of the top housingcomponent 108 to define a cavity for receipt of the other components ofthe housing 102. In one example, the bottom housing component 110 can becoupled to the first compartment 118 to as to substantially cover thefirst compartment 118 (FIG. 2). It should be noted, however, that thebottom housing component 110 can be coupled to and can cover, all or aportion of the top housing component 108.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the second compartment 120 can includea pinion engagement portion 132 and a reservoir engagement portion 134.In one example, the pinion engagement portion 132 can be defined on thesecond side 130 of the top housing component 108, and the reservoirengagement portion 134 can be defined in the second portion 126 b of thesecond end 126. The pinion engagement portion 132 can include a recess136 and at least one coupling surface 138. In one exemplary embodiment,the recess 136 can be defined between a first partition 140, a secondpartition 142 and a projection 144. It should be noted that the use ofthe first partition 140, second partition 142 and projection 144 ismerely exemplary, as the recess 136 can be defined between one or morepartitions. Generally, the first partition 140 can be spaced apart fromthe second partition 142 to define the recess 136. The recess 136 canreceive a portion of the pinion engagement system 112, as will bediscussed herein. The projection 144 can be spaced generally below andbetween the first partition 140 and second partition 142 to constrainthe portion of the pinion engagement system 112 between the firstpartition 140 and second partition 142. In addition, if desired, a ledge147 can be defined in the second side 130 between the first partition140 and second partition 142 to further support the portion of thepinion engagement system 112.

In one example, the at least one coupling surface 138 can define a firstcoupling surface 138 a and a second coupling surface 138 b. The firstcoupling surface 138 a can be spaced apart from the second couplingsurface 138 b, and can be configured to aid in coupling the bottomhousing component 110 to the top housing component 108. In one example,the first coupling surface 138 a and second coupling surface 138 b candefine a recess, which can receive a suitable adhesive along with aportion of the bottom housing component 110 for adhesively coupling thebottom housing component 110 to the top housing component 108. It shouldbe noted that any suitable technique can be used to couple the bottomhousing component 110 to the top housing component 108, such as the useof mechanical fasteners, press-fitting, etc.

The reservoir engagement portion 134 can include at least one contactsurface 148, at least one retaining bore 150 and a constraining wall152. In one example, the at least one contact surface 148 can include afirst contact surface 148 a (FIG. 5) and a second contact surface 148 b(FIG. 6). The first contact surface 148 a can be spaced apart from andsubstantially opposite the second contact surface 148 b. In this regard,the first contact surface 148 a can be formed on the second side 130,and the second contact surface 148 b can be formed on a sidewall 154 ofthe second portion 126 b of the second end 126. The first contactsurface 148 a and second contact surface 148 b can contact a portion ofthe reservoir engagement system 114 to constrain the movement of thereservoir engagement system 114, as will be discussed herein.

The at least one retaining bore 150 can retain a portion of thereservoir engagement system 114. In one example, the at least oneretaining bore 150 can include a first retaining bore 150 a (FIG. 5),which can be spaced apart from and substantially opposite a secondretaining bore 150 b (FIG. 6). In this example, the first retaining bore150 a can be formed on the second side 130, and the second retainingbore 150 b can be formed on the sidewall 154 of the second portion 126 bof the second end 126. Generally, the first retaining bore 150 a can beformed between the first contact surface 148 a and a sidewall 156 of thesecond portion 126 b. Similarly, the second retaining bore 150 b can beformed between the second contact surface 148 b and the sidewall 156 ofthe second portion 126 b. The sidewall 156 of the second end 126 canalso contact a portion of the reservoir engagement system 114 toconstrain the movement of the reservoir engagement system 114.

In one example, the first retaining bore 150 a can include a lip 158,which can extend circumferentially about a least a portion of the firstretaining bore 150 a to aid in guiding and retaining a portion of thereservoir engagement system 114. It should be noted that the lip 158 ismerely exemplary, as the first retaining bore 150 a can comprise arecess defined within the second side 130. The second retaining bore 150b can comprise a recess defined within the sidewall 154 of the secondend 126, and can include a slot 160. The slot 160 can assist in couplingthe portion of the reservoir engagement system 114 to the top housingcomponent 108. In one example, the slot 160 can receive an adhesive tofixedly couple a portion of the reservoir engagement system 114 to thetop housing component 108. It should be noted that the use of the slot160 is merely exemplary, as any suitable technique could be used tofixedly couple the portion of the reservoir engagement system 114 to thetop housing component 108, such as a mechanical fastener, press-fit,etc.

With reference to FIG. 5, the constraining wall 152 can be definedadjacent to the first retaining bore 150 a. The constraining wall 152can project upwardly from the surface 108 a of the top housing component108, and can extend from the second side 130 towards the sidewall 154.The constraining wall 152 can have a height selected to enable theconstraining wall 152 to contact a portion of the reservoir engagementsystem 114 to constrain the rotational movement of the reservoirengagement system 114. It should be noted that the use and configurationof the constraining wall 152 is merely exemplary, as any suitabletechnique could be used to constrict the rotational movement of thereservoir engagement system 114, including modifications to thereservoir engagement system 114 itself.

The wall 122 can cooperate with the bottom housing component 110 tocouple the top housing component 108 to the bottom housing component110. In one example, the wall 122 can comprise a tongue portion of atongue and groove adhesive joint, which can cooperate with acorresponding portion of the bottom housing component 110. The wall 122can have any suitable height, and for example, can have a varyingheight, which can correspond to the bottom housing component 110. Itshould be noted that the wall 122 and the height of the wall 122 ismerely exemplary, the bottom housing component 110 could cooperatedirectly with the surface 108 a, if desired.

With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the second or bottom housing component110 can be coupled to the top housing component 108. The bottom housingcomponent 110 can include a perimeter, which can include at least oneinterference 162, at least one relief 164, at least one contact face 166(FIG. 8) and a pinion engagement portion 168. It should be noted thatalthough the at least one interference 162, at least one relief 164, atleast one contact face 166 and pinion engagement portion 168 aredescribed and illustrated herein as being disposed along the perimeterof the bottom housing component 110, the at least one interference 162,at least one relief 164, at least one contact face 166 and pinionengagement portion 168 could be formed at any selected location on thebottom housing component 110. The bottom housing component 110 can alsodefine a reservoir receiving portion 170 and a component receivingportion 172.

The at least one interference 162 can assist in coupling the bottomhousing component 110 to the top housing component 108. In one example,the at least one interference 162 can mate with a recessed slot 174(FIG. 5) defined in the third portion 126 c of the second end 126 toassist in coupling the bottom housing component 110 to the top housingcomponent 108. It should be noted that while one interference 162 isillustrated and discussed herein, multiple interferences 162 can belocated about the perimeter of the bottom housing component 110 tofacilitate coupling the bottom housing component 110 to the top housingcomponent 108. Further, the use of the at least one interference 162 ismerely exemplary, as any suitable technique could be used in guiding oraligning the bottom housing component 110 within the top housingcomponent 108, such as rails, dovetails, etc.

The at least one relief 164 can provide clearance for a portion of thefluid reservoir 106. In one example, the at least one relief 164 cancomprise a first relief 164 a and a second relief 164 b. The firstrelief 164 a can be defined in the reservoir receiving portion 170, andthe second relief 164 b can be defined in the reservoir receivingportion 170 adjacent to the pinion engagement portion 168. Generally,the at least one relief 164 can provide clearance to accommodate formanufacturing tolerances in the production of the fluid reservoir 106.It should be noted that the use of the at least one relief 164 is merelyexemplary, as other manufacturing processes may not require the use ofat least one relief 164.

With reference to FIG. 8, the at least one contact face 166 can bedefined adjacent to the first relief 164 a. The at least one contactface 166 can contact a portion of the fluid reservoir 106 to limit thetravel of the fluid reservoir 106 relative to the housing 102. It shouldbe noted that although one contact face 166 is illustrated and describedherein, the housing 102 can include any number of contact faces 166 thatcan restrict the movement of the fluid reservoir 106.

With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the pinion engagement portion 168 canbe defined in the reservoir receiving portion 170. The pinion engagementportion 168 can define a channel, which can receive the pinionengagement system 112. The pinion engagement portion 168 can include atleast one spring guide 178, at least one retention flange 180 and atleast one coupling flange 182. Generally, the pinion engagement portion168 can be configured such that at least a portion of the pinionengagement system 112 can be retained in the channel to aid in couplingthe pinion engagement system 112 to the housing 102.

With reference to FIG. 8, the at least one spring guide 178 can includea first spring guide 178 a and a second spring guide 178 b, which can beformed substantially opposite each other about a perimeter of the pinionengagement portion 168. In one example, the first spring guide 178 a andsecond spring guide 178 b can be at least partially circumferential toreceive a portion of the pinion engagement system 112, as will bediscussed herein.

With continued reference to FIG. 8, the at least one retention flange180 can include a first retention flange 180 a and a second retentionflange 180 b. The first retention flange 180 a and second retentionflange 180 b can have any shape, which can correspond to a portion ofthe pinion engagement system 112, and can be formed near the perimeterof the pinion engagement portion 168. Generally, the first retentionflange 180 a and second retention flange 180 b can be formed on thebottom housing component 110 so as to be near the surface 108 a of thetop housing component 108 when the bottom housing component 110 iscoupled to the top housing component 108.

The at least one coupling flange 182 in one example, can comprise afirst coupling flange 182 a and a second coupling flange 182 b. Thefirst coupling flange 182 a and second coupling flange 182 b can matewith a corresponding one of the first coupling surface 138 a and secondcoupling surface 138 b to couple the bottom housing component 110 to thetop housing component 108. Generally, the first coupling flange 182 aand second coupling flange 182 b can be shaped to enable an adhesive tobe positioned between the first coupling flange 182 a and secondcoupling flange 182 b and respective ones of the first coupling surface138 a and a second coupling surface 138 b to adhesively couple thebottom housing component 110 to the top housing component 108, however,as discussed, any suitable technique could be employed to couple thebottom housing component 110 to the top housing component 108.

With reference to FIG. 7, the reservoir receiving portion 170 canreceive a portion of the fluid reservoir 106 when the fluid reservoir106 is coupled to the housing 102. In one example, the reservoirreceiving portion 170 can comprise a substantially U-shaped channel,which can cooperate with the second compartment 120 of the top housingcomponent 108 to enable the fluid reservoir 106 to be coupled to thehousing 102. The substantially U-shaped channel defined by the reservoirreceiving portion 170 can be in communication with the pinion engagementportion 168 to enable the pinion engagement system 112 to contact aportion of the fluid reservoir 106, as will be discussed herein. Thecomponent receiving portion 172 can receive the other components of thehousing 102, such as the battery, circuitry, etc. At least a portion ofthe component receiving portion 172 can be received within the firstcompartment 118 of the top housing component 108.

With reference now to FIG. 4B, the pinion engagement system 112 isshown. In one example, the pinion engagement system 112 can include asnap housing 190 and a biasing member 192. The snap housing 190 can bereceived in the pinion engagement portion 168 of the bottom housingcomponent 110. With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the snap housing 190can include a first side 194 (FIG. 9), a second side 196 (FIG. 10) and aperimeter 198. With reference to FIG. 9, the first side 194 can includea lip 200, at least one projection 202 and a cavity 204. The cavity 204can cooperate with a portion of the fluid reservoir 106, and can alsoaid in forming the snap housing 190. In one example, the cavity 204 canaid in forming the snap housing 190 when the snap housing 190 is formedusing injection molding. It should be noted that the snap housing 190could be formed through any suitable forming technique, and thus, theuse of injection molding and the cavity 204 is merely exemplary. The lip200 can be defined adjacent to a top surface 190 a of the snap housing190, between the top surface 190 a and the at least one projection 202.The lip 200 can cooperate with a portion of the fluid reservoir 106 toremovably couple the fluid reservoir 106 to the bottom housing component110. The lip 200 can be defined to intersect a longitudinal axis of thesnap housing 190 and can include a slight curvature, however, the lip200 can have any desired shape. The lip 200 can include a relief 200 a,which can facilitate the forming of the snap housing 190 throughinjection molding. It should be noted that the relief 200 a is merelyexemplary, and that any suitable technique could be used to manufacturethe snap housing 190. As will be discussed, the snap housing 190 canmove or slide relative to the pinion engagement portion 168 to aid incoupling the fluid reservoir 106 to the housing 102. The lip 200 cangenerally extend outwardly from the first side 194 for a distancegreater than the at least one projection 202 to aid in providingfeedback to the user upon coupling of the fluid reservoir 106 to thehousing 102.

The at least one projection 202 can contact a portion of the fluidreservoir 106 to create an audible indicator that the fluid reservoir106 is coupled to the housing 102. In one example, the at least oneprojection 202 can comprise a first projection 202 a and a secondprojection 202 b. The first projection 202 a and the second projection202 b can extend outwardly away from the first side 194, and can eachinclude a contact face 206. The contact faces 206 can contact theportion of the fluid reservoir 106, as will be discussed herein. Inaddition, the first projection 202 a and the second projection 202 b canbe inclined relative to a surface 194 a of the first side 194, toprovide clearance to another portion of the fluid reservoir 106 suchthat generally only the contact faces 206 contact the fluid reservoir106.

With reference to FIG. 10, the second side 196 of the snap housing 190can include a spring guide 196 a. In one example, the spring guide 196 acan comprise an annular projection, which can extend outwardly from asurface of the second side 196. It will be understood, however, that thespring guide 196 a is merely exemplary, as the second side 196 couldhave any desired shape and configuration.

The perimeter 198 of the snap housing 190 can include at least one or aplurality of retention flanges 208. The retention flanges 208 can bespaced about the perimeter of the snap housing 190, and can cooperatewith the first retention flange 180 a and second retention flange 180 bof the bottom housing component 110 to retain the snap housing 190within the pinion engagement portion 168. It should be noted that whilea plurality of retention flanges 208 are illustrated and describedherein, the snap housing 190 could be retained within the pinionengagement portion 168 via any suitable technique, including, but notlimited to, a dovetail arrangement or slot and rail. As best illustratedin FIG. 10, the retention flanges 208 can also cooperate with the springguide 196 a to guide the biasing member 192, and to couple the biasingmember 192 to the snap housing 190.

With regard to FIG. 4B, the biasing member 192 can bias the snap housing190 in the channel defined by the pinion engagement portion 168. In thisregard, the biasing member 192 can be positioned between the top housingcomponent 108 and the second side 196 of the snap housing 190.Generally, the biasing member 192 can bias the snap housing 190 suchthat the snap housing 190 extends through the channel of the pinionengagement portion 168 into a portion of the reservoir receiving portion170 in a first position. The application of force against the snaphousing 190, by the insertion of the fluid reservoir 106 into thehousing 102, for example, can overcome the force of the biasing member192 and can cause the snap housing 190 to move from the first positionto a second position within the channel of the pinion engagement portion168 to allow the insertion of the fluid reservoir 106. In other words,the snap housing 192 can move relative to the bottom housing component110, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the second side 130of the housing 102. In one example, the biasing member 192 cancomprising a wave spring, but the biasing member 192 can comprise anysuitable biasing member, including, but not limited to, a coil spring.

The reservoir engagement system 114 can be coupled to the reservoirengagement portion 134 of the top housing component 108. The reservoirengagement system 114 can be coupled to and can contact a portion of thefluid reservoir 106 to couple the fluid reservoir 106 to the housing102. Generally, the reservoir engagement system 114 can engage the fluidreservoir 106 such that the fluid reservoir 106 is biased in the housing102 in a direction opposite the flow of fluid out of the fluid reservoir106. Thus, the reservoir engagement system 114 can be movable between afirst position, in which the fluid reservoir 106 is not coupled to thehousing 102 (FIG. 4A), and a second position, in which the fluidreservoir 106 is coupled to the housing 102 and biased in the directionopposite of fluid flow (FIG. 14). Generally, the fluid reservoir 106 isretained in the housing 102 under a load to assist in detecting anocclusion in the fluid pathway defined by and between the fluidreservoir 106 and the cannula 107. In this regard, by biasing the fluidreservoir 106 within the housing 102, pressure can build within thefluid reservoir 106 upon the occurrence of an occlusion, which can bedetected by components and circuitry coupled to the housing 102, as isgenerally known. The reservoir engagement system 114 can include amember or wedge 210, a reservoir biasing member 212 and a retentionmember 214.

With regard to FIGS. 11 and 12, the wedge 210 can include a first,reservoir facing side 216, a second, housing facing side 218 and athroughbore 220. The first side 216 can be opposite the second side 218.The first side 216 can extend along a longitudinal axis L2 of the wedge210 for a length that can be substantially greater than a length of thesecond side 218 along the longitudinal axis L2. The difference in thelengths between the first side 216 and the second side 218 can enable aportion of the reservoir biasing member 212 to be accommodated andguided by a portion of the first side 216 of the wedge 210. The firstside 216 can include a first contact portion 222 and a second contactportion 224. With reference to FIG. 11, the first contact portion 222can be defined at a first end 210 a of the wedge 210, and the secondcontact portion 224 can be defined between the first contact portion 222and a second end 210 b of the wedge 210. It should be noted that thefirst end 210 a of the wedge 210 can contact the first contact surface148 a of the top housing component 108 when the reservoir biasing member212 is in a second, compressed position, and the second end 210 b of thewedge 210 can contact the second contact surface 148 b of the tophousing component 108 when the reservoir biasing member 212 is in afirst, uncompressed position.

The first contact portion 222 can contact or engage a portion of thefluid reservoir 106, and the second contact portion 224 can contact asecond portion of the fluid reservoir 106, as will be discussed herein.In one example, the first contact portion 222 can comprise asubstantially triangular projection, which can extend outwardly from thefirst side 216. In one example, the first contact portion 222 can havethree sides 226. One of the sides 226 can include a contact face 226 a.In one example, the contact face 226 a can be formed on the side 226adjacent to the second contact portion 224. In this example, the contactface 226 a can have a slope, which can extend in a direction generallytransverse to the longitudinal axis L2. It should be noted, however,that the contact face 226 a can have any desired slope, and thus, theslope illustrated herein is merely exemplary. In one example, the slopeangle can be less than about 45 degrees to reduce insertion forcesassociated with the insertion of the fluid reservoir 106. The contactface 226 a can contact and guide a portion of the fluid reservoir 106into the housing 102. The first contact portion 222 can also include arecess 222 a, which can facilitate the forming of the wedge 210.

The second contact portion 224 can comprise a projection, which canproject outwardly from the first side 216. In one example, the secondcontact portion 224 can include four sides 224 a-224 d. The first side224 a can have a length L (FIG. 12), which can define the distance thesecond contact portion 224 projects or extends outwardly from the firstside 216. The length L can be selected to aid in biasing the fluidreservoir 106 in a direction opposite the flow direction of fluid fromthe fluid reservoir 106. In addition, the length L can determine theamount of reservoir length tolerance variability the wedge 210 canaccommodate. The second side 224 b can define a channel 228, which canaid in the manufacturing of the wedge 210, through injection molding,for example. The third side 224 c can contact the portion of the fluidreservoir 106, and can provide a mechanical advantage to resist highocclusion forces with a relatively small amount of load. The fourth side224 d can be adjacent to a surface 110 a of the top housing component108 when the wedge 210 is coupled to the housing 102.

With reference to FIG. 12, the second side 218 can be positionedadjacent to the second end 126 of the housing 102 when the wedge 210 iscoupled to the housing 102. Thus, the wedge 210 can move relative to thesecond end 126, in a direction substantially parallel to the second end126, when the wedge 210 is coupled to the housing 102. The second side218 can include a housing contact surface 218 a. The housing contactsurface 218 a can contact the second end 126 of the housing 102 torestrict the rotation of the wedge 210 relative to the housing 102. Inone example, the housing contact surface 218 a can comprise a flatsurface, which can cooperate with a flat surface formed on the secondend 126 to restrict or limit the angular movement of the wedge 210.

With continued reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, the throughbore 220 can bedefined between the first side 216 and second side 218 and can extendalong the longitudinal axis L2 of the wedge 210 from the first end 210 ato the second end 210 b. The throughbore 220 can be substantiallycircumferentially open at and near the first end 210 a of the wedge 210(FIG. 12), and can be substantially circumferentially closed at and nearthe second end 210 b (FIG. 11). The throughbore 220 can slidably receivethe retention member 214 to movably couple the wedge 210 to the housing102, and can also receive a portion of the reservoir biasing member 212.Generally, the retention member 214 can be slidably received through thethroughbore 220 from the first end 210 a to the second end 210 b, andthe reservoir biasing member 212 can be coupled to and received withinthe throughbore 220 at the first end 210 a of the wedge 210. In oneexample, with regard to FIG. 12, the throughbore 220 can include a lip220 a near the second end 210 b, which can contact an end of thereservoir biasing member 212. A portion of the throughbore 220 can alsohave an undulating surface, which can aid in manufacturing the wedge210.

With reference back to FIG. 4B, the reservoir biasing member 212 caninclude a first end 212 a and a second end 212 b. The first end 212 acan contact the lip 220 a of the throughbore 220, and the second end 212b can contact a face defined around the retaining bore 150 a of the tophousing component 108. In one example, the reservoir biasing member 212can comprise a coil spring, however, any suitable biasing mechanismcould be employed, including a metal, metal alloy or polymeric biasingmechanism. The reservoir biasing member 212 can provide a spring forceF, which can bias the wedge 210 against the side 133 of the top housingcomponent 108 in the first, uncompressed position. In the second,compressed position, the reservoir biasing member 212 can be compressedby the fluid reservoir 106 such that the wedge 210 contacts the secondcontact surface 148 b of the top housing component 108.

The retention member 214 can couple the wedge 210 and the reservoirbiasing member 212 to the top housing component 108. In one example, theretention member 214 can comprise a pin, which can have a first end 214a and a second end 214 b. The first end 214 a and the second end 214 bcan be fixedly coupled to the first retaining bore 150 a and secondretaining bore 150 b, respectively, of the top housing component 108. Inone example, the retention member 214 can be coupled to the top housingcomponent 108 by adhesives, however, the retention member 214 can becoupled to the top housing component 108 via any suitable technique,such as press-fitting, mechanical fasteners, etc. As a further example,the retention member 214 can be coupled to the top housing component 108through a press-fit and visible light cure adhesive.

With reference to FIG. 4B, the fluid reservoir 106 can be removablycoupled to the housing 102. In one example, the fluid reservoir 106 caninclude a first or barrel portion 230 and a second portion or plungerguide 232. Generally, the barrel portion 230 can be removably coupled tothe top housing component 108, while the plunger guide 232 can beremovably coupled to the bottom housing component 110. The barrelportion 230 can contain a first end 234, a second end 236 and areservoir 238 defined between the first end 234 and the second end 236.

With regard to FIG. 13, the first end 234 can cooperate with thereservoir engagement system 114 to couple the fluid reservoir 106 to thehousing 102 and bias the fluid reservoir 106 in a directionsubstantially opposite the direction of fluid flow out of the fluidreservoir 106. In one example, the first end 234 of the barrel portion230 can include a delivery port 240, a first alignment feature 242, asecond alignment feature 244 and a third alignment feature 246. Itshould be noted that the use of three alignment features is merelyexemplary, as the barrel portion 230 could include any number ofalignment features to aid in coupling the fluid reservoir 106 to thehousing 102.

The delivery port 240 can establish the fluid flow path to the patient.Generally, the fluid can flow from the reservoir 238 out the deliveryport 240 into the cannula 107 for delivery to the patient. The deliveryport 240 can include a pierceable septum if the fluid reservoir 106 is aprefilled unit. Alternatively, the delivery port 240 may include avented opening to accommodate filling of the fluid reservoir 106 by thepatient, a doctor, a caregiver, or the like. In one example, thedelivery port 240 can be formed near or along a first side 234 a of thefirst end 234 and the first alignment feature 242, second alignmentfeature 244 and third alignment feature 246 can be formed near or alonga second side 234 b of the first end 234.

The first alignment feature 242 can be substantially opposite thedelivery port 240. The first alignment feature 242 can laterally alignthe fluid reservoir 106 relative to the housing 102. In one example, thefirst alignment feature 242 can comprise a geometric projection. Forexample, the first alignment feature 242 can include one or more walls248. In one example, the walls 248 can cooperate to define a geometricprojection having a substantially rectangular shape. In this example,one of the walls 248 a can be arcuate, to conform with the surface 108 aof the top housing component 108. It should be noted that the geometricshape formed by the walls 248 is merely exemplary, as the firstalignment feature 242 can have any desired shape to constrain and alignthe fluid reservoir 106 relative to the housing 102. Generally, thefirst alignment feature 242 can be positioned near the first end 210 aof the wedge 210 when the fluid reservoir 106 is coupled to the housing102.

The second alignment feature 244 can be defined between the firstalignment feature 242 and the third alignment feature 246. In oneexample, the second alignment feature 244 can comprise a wall. Thesecond alignment feature 244 can have a first surface 250 and a secondsurface 252. The first surface 250 can extend outwardly from the firstend 234 so as to be substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axisof the barrel portion 230, while the second surface 252 can be arcuate.The arcuate shape of the second surface 252 can act as a ramp, which cancooperate with the third side 224 c of the second contact portion 224 ofthe wedge 210. The contact between the second surface 252 and the wedge210 can bias the fluid reservoir 106 in the direction opposite of thedirection of fluid flow out of the reservoir 238, as illustrated in FIG.14. In FIG. 14, the contact between the second surface 252 and thesecond contact portion 224 of the wedge 210 biases the fluid reservoir106 relative to the housing 102. In this example, D_(B) can indicate thedirection the fluid reservoir 106 is biased relative to the housing, andD_(F) can indicate the direction of fluid flow out of the fluidreservoir 106. D_(B) can be substantially opposite D_(F). Generally, thefluid reservoir 106 can be biased by the wedge 210 such that the fluidreservoir 106 contacts the at least one contact face 166 of the bottomhousing component 110. The second alignment feature 244 can alsocooperate with the wedge 210 to provide audible feedback to the userupon coupling the fluid reservoir 106 to the housing 102.

The third alignment feature 246 can comprise a geometric projection,which can extend outwardly from the first end 234. In one example, thethird alignment feature 246 can have sides 254, which can include afirst side 254 a, a second side 254 b, a third side 254 c and a fourthside 254 d. Generally, the third alignment feature 246 can be sized tofit between the first contact portion 222 of the wedge 210 and thesurface 108 a of the top housing component 108. The second side 254 bcan be angled relative to the first side 254 a and the third side 254 c.A contact surface 256 can be formed between the second side 254 b andthe third side 254 c, which can contact and move along the face 226 a ofthe first contact portion 222 of the wedge 210 when the fluid reservoir106 is coupled to the housing 102. The movement of the contact surface256 along the first contact portion 222 can cause the wedge 210 to movefrom a first position to a second position against the force of thereservoir biasing member 212 towards the second side 130 of the tophousing component 108. As will be discussed herein, once the contactsurface 262 moves past the face 226 a of the first contact portion 222,the reservoir biasing member 212 can move from the second, compressedposition to the first, uncompressed position, which can move the secondcontact portion 224 of the wedge 210 into contact with the secondalignment feature 244. The movement of the second contact portion 224into contact with the second alignment feature 244 can cause audiblefeedback, such as a snap, which can be heard by the user. This can aidthe user in determining that the fluid reservoir 106 is properly coupledto the housing 102. The fourth side 254 d can be arcuate.

With reference to FIG. 15, the second end 236 of the fluid reservoir 106can be substantially circumferentially open, and can cooperate with aportion of the plunger guide 232. The second end 236 can also include aslot 236 a, which can cooperate with a portion of the plunger guide 232to couple the plunger guide 232 to the second end 236. The reservoir 238can be defined between the first end 234 and the second end 236. Thereservoir 238 can be prefilled with a fluid, or could be later filledwith the fluid, if desired. In this example, the reservoir 238 canreceive insulin, but the reservoir 238 can hold any suitable liquid.

The plunger guide 232 can be used to dispense fluid from the reservoir238. The plunger guide 232 can include a plunger 263 and a housing 264.The plunger 263 can move relative to the housing 264. Generally, theplunger 263 can include a platform 266 and a rack 268 coupled to theplatform 266. The platform 266 can include one or more sealing elements266 a, 266 b, which can be circumferentially disposed about a perimeterof the platform 266. The sealing elements 266 a, 266 b can prevent fluidfrom escaping from the second end 236 of the reservoir 238 when theplunger guide 232 is coupled to the second end 236.

The rack 268 can be fixedly coupled to the platform 266 so that theadvancement of the rack 268 can move the platform 266 within thereservoir 238. The rack 268 can include a plurality of teeth 268 a,which can meshingly engage a plurality of teeth on a pinion coupled tothe housing 102. The rack 268 can be driven by the pinion to advance theplatform 266 within the reservoir 238 to dispense fluid out of thedelivery port 240.

The housing 264 can include a base 270 and a rack receiving portion 272.The base 270 can be sized and configured to be received within andcoupled to the second end 236 of the barrel portion 230. Generally, thebase 270 can be substantially oval in shape, and can include aprojection 270 a. The projection 270 a can be received within the slot236 a of the second end 236 of the barrel portion 230 to couple thehousing 264 to the barrel portion 230. The cooperation between theprojection 270 a and slot 236 a can provide error-proofing in theassembly of the housing 264 to the barrel portion 230. The base 270 canalso define an opening, which can slidably receive a portion of the rack268 therethrough. The opening of the base 270 can be in communicationwith the rack receiving portion 272.

The rack receiving portion 272 can extend outwardly from the base 270.The rack receiving portion 272 can include a bore or cavity 274, atleast one contact surface 276 and a removal portion 278. In one example,the cavity 274 can be sized to movably or slidably receive the rack 268,and can be in communication with the opening of the base 270. The cavity274 can also include a cutout portion 274 a defined near a first end 272a of the rack receiving portion 272, which can enable the rack 268 toengage the pinion.

With reference to FIG. 16, the at least one contact surface 276 can bedefined near the first end 272 a of the rack receiving portion 272. Inone example, the at least one contact surface 276 can comprise a firstcontact surface 276 a and a second contact surface 276 b. The firstcontact surface 276 a and the second contact surface 276 b can cooperatewith the pinion engagement system 112 to bias the rack 268 against thepinion and to create an audible feedback upon the proper insertion ofthe fluid reservoir 106 within the housing 102.

In this regard, the first contact surface 276 a and the second contactsurface 276 b can each include an insertion ramp 280, a recess 282 and aremoval ramp 284, which can be unitarily formed. It should be noted thatalthough the at least one contact surface 276 is described andillustrated herein as having two contact surfaces, the at least onecontact surface 276 could have any number of contact surfaces,including, but not limited to a signal contact surface. The recess 282can be defined between the insertion ramp 280 and the removal ramp 284,and can receive the contact faces 206 of the snap housing 190 when thefluid reservoir 106 is coupled to the housing 102. The insertion ramp280 can have a slope, such that as the fluid reservoir 106 is insertedinto the housing 102, the insertion ramp 280 can move the snap housing190 against the force of the biasing member 192. Once the fluidreservoir 106 is properly coupled to the housing 102, the spring forcefrom the biasing member 192 can move or push the snap housing 190 suchthat contact faces 206 contact the recess 282, as shown in FIG. 17. Thecontact between the contact faces 206 and the recess 282 can provideaudible feedback to the user that the fluid reservoir 106 is coupled tothe housing 102.

With reference back to FIG. 16, the removal ramp 284 can aid in theremoval of the fluid reservoir 106 from the housing 102. Generally, whenthe fluid reservoir 106 is coupled to the housing 102, the lip 200 ofthe snap housing 190 can be disposed over the removal ramp 284. Thus,the removal ramp 284 can have a slope, which can cooperate with the lip200 of the snap housing 190 to compress the biasing member 192 and movethe snap housing 190 to enable the removal of the fluid reservoir 106.

The removal portion 278 can be defined at a second end 272 b of the rackreceiving portion 272. In one example, the removal portion 278 cancomprise a tab, which can be received within a slot 286 defined withinthe top housing component 108 (FIG. 4B). In this example, the user canlift upwardly on the removal portion 278 to remove the fluid reservoir106 from the housing 102.

In order to assemble the fluid infusion device 100, the bottom housingcomponent 110 can be coupled to the top housing component 108. Then, inone example, the fluid reservoir 106 can be coupled to the housing 102in a straight in insertion. In this example, the patient can press downon the barrel portion 230 to couple the fluid reservoir 106 to thehousing 102. The application of force on the barrel portion 230 cancause the third alignment feature 246 to contact the face 226 a of thefirst contact portion 222 of the wedge 210 (FIG. 18A), which can biasthe wedge 210 against the force of the reservoir biasing member 212(FIG. 18B). The continued application of force on the barrel portion 230can cause the third alignment feature 246 to slide off the face 226 a ofthe first contact portion 222 (FIG. 19A). This can cause the reservoirbiasing member 212 to move from the second, compressed position to thefirst, uncompressed position (FIG. 19B). The movement of the reservoirbiasing member 212 from the second position to the first position canmove the wedge 210 such that the second contact portion 224 is incontact with the second alignment feature 244 (FIG. 14). This contactcan provide at least an audible feedback that the fluid reservoir 106 iscoupled to the housing 102. In addition, the contact between the secondcontact portion 224 and the second alignment feature 244 can bias thefluid reservoir 106 opposite the direction of fluid flow out of thefluid reservoir 106 (FIGS. 20A and 20B).

Substantially simultaneously, as the third alignment feature 246 slidesoff the face 226 a of the first contact portion 222, the continuedapplication of the force to the barrel portion 230 can cause theinsertion ramp 280 of the first contact surface 276 a and second contactsurface 276 b to bias the snap housing 190 against the biasing member192 (FIG. 21). Then, the contact faces 206 can snap into the recesses282 of the first contact surface 276 a and second contact surface 276 bto provide additional audible feedback that the fluid reservoir 106 iscoupled to the housing 102 (FIG. 22).

In another example, the fluid reservoir 106 can be inserted into thehousing 102 similar to the insertion of a battery into a batteryhousing. In this example, the barrel portion 230 can be inserted at anangle into the second compartment 120 of the top housing component 108,and generally rotated slightly so that the second surface 252 cancontact the second contact portion 224 of the wedge 210. This contactcan bias the wedge 210 against the force of the reservoir biasing member212.

Then, the plunger guide 232 can be inserted into the reservoir receivingportion 170 of the bottom housing portion 110. The application of forceto the plunger guide 232 can cause the insertion ramp 280 of the firstcontact surface 276 a and second contact surface 276 b to bias the snaphousing 190 against the biasing member 192. Then, the contact faces 206can snap into the recesses 282 of the first contact surface 276 a andsecond contact surface 276 b to provide additional audible feedback thatthe fluid reservoir 106 is coupled to the housing 102.

While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in theforegoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vastnumber of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that theexemplary embodiment or embodiments described herein are not intended tolimit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the claimed subjectmatter in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description willprovide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map forimplementing the described embodiment or embodiments. It should beunderstood that various changes can be made in the function andarrangement of elements without departing from the scope defined by theclaims, which includes known equivalents and foreseeable equivalents atthe time of filing this patent application.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fluid infusion device, comprising: a fluidreservoir having a barrel portion; and a housing defining a receivingportion for removably receiving the fluid reservoir within the housing,the housing having a first side including a first engagement system thatcooperates with the barrel portion to bias the fluid reservoir relativeto the housing in a direction substantially opposite a direction offluid flow out of the fluid reservoir.
 2. The device of claim 1, whereinthe housing further comprises a first housing component and a secondhousing component, and the first engagement system is coupled to thefirst housing component.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the firstengagement system further comprises a member that is movable by thebarrel portion of the fluid reservoir between a first position and asecond position, and in the second position, the member biases the fluidreservoir relative to the housing.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein thebarrel portion further comprises a first alignment feature, and contactbetween the first alignment feature and the member moves the member fromthe first position to the second position.
 5. The device of claim 4,wherein the barrel portion further comprises a second alignment feature,and contact between the second alignment feature and the member biasesthe fluid reservoir relative to the housing.
 6. The device of claim 2,wherein the second housing component is received within the firsthousing component, and the second housing component includes a secondengagement system that cooperates with the fluid reservoir to removablycouple the fluid reservoir to the second housing component.
 7. Thedevice of claim 6, wherein the fluid reservoir further comprises asecond portion coupled to the barrel portion, and the second engagementsystem includes a snap housing that is movable relative to the secondhousing portion by the barrel portion.
 8. The device of claim 6, whereinthe first engagement system biases the barrel portion of the fluidreservoir into contact with the second housing component.
 9. A fluidinfusion device, comprising: a fluid reservoir having a first portionand a second portion; and a housing defining a receiving portion forremovably receiving the fluid reservoir within the housing, the housinghaving a first side adjacent to a second side, the first side includinga first engagement system that cooperates with the first portion and thesecond side including a second engagement system that cooperates withthe second portion, the first engagement system including a wedge thatbiases the fluid reservoir relative to the housing in a directionsubstantially opposite a direction of fluid flow out of the fluidreservoir.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the first engagementsystem further comprises: a retention member fixedly coupled to thehousing; and a biasing member coupled about the retention member andslidable relative the retention member, wherein the wedge is movablealong the retention member against a force of the biasing member by thefirst portion of the fluid reservoir.
 11. The device of claim 10,wherein the first portion of the fluid reservoir further comprises afirst alignment feature that contacts the wedge to move the wedgeagainst the force of the biasing member.
 12. The device of claim 11,wherein the wedge includes a first contact portion spaced part from asecond contact portion along a first side, and the first alignmentfeature contacts the first contact portion.
 13. The device of claim 12,wherein the first portion of the fluid reservoir further comprises asecond alignment feature, and the second alignment feature contacts thesecond contact portion of the wedge to bias the fluid reservoir relativeto the housing.
 14. The device of claim 9, further comprising a baseplate removably couplable to the housing.
 15. A fluid infusion device,comprising: a fluid reservoir having a first portion, a second portionand a reservoir defined between the first portion and the second portionfor receipt of insulin, the first portion having a first alignmentfeature; a first housing component including a first engagement systemhaving a member movable by the first alignment feature between a firstposition and a second position; and a second housing component coupledto the first housing component and including at least partially a secondengagement system that cooperates with the second portion of the fluidreservoir, wherein in the second position, the member biases the fluidreservoir into contact with the second housing component.
 16. The deviceof claim 15, wherein the member biases the fluid reservoir in adirection opposite of a fluid flow out of the fluid reservoir.
 17. Thedevice of claim 15, wherein the first portion of the fluid reservoir iscouplable to the first housing component and the second portion of thefluid reservoir is couplable to the second housing component.
 18. Thedevice of claim 15, wherein the first portion of the fluid reservoirfurther comprises a second alignment feature, and the second alignmentfeature contacts a portion of the member to bias the fluid reservoirinto contact with the second housing component.
 19. The device of claim18, wherein the member includes a first contact portion near a secondcontact portion on a first side of the member, and the first alignmentfeature contacts the first contact portion and the second alignmentfeature contacts the second contact portion.
 20. The device of claim 15,wherein the second engagement system further comprises: a snap housingthat is movable relative to the second housing component between a firstposition and a second position; and a biasing member that biases thesnap housing in the first position, wherein an insertion of the secondportion of the fluid reservoir into the second housing component movesthe snap housing from the first position to the second position.